Rasika Sivakumar is 12 years old and a sixth grader at Skyview Upper Elementary School in Collegeville, PA, USA. Blessed with prodigious talent, even as a toddler she could identify ragams and sing to perfect pitch. She started learning Carnatic music at the tender age of 4 from her mother, Smt. Uma Sivakumar and later from Smt.Rajarajeshwari Bhat of Houston. She is currently under the tutelage of revered Guru Kalaimamani Neyveli Sri Santhanagopalan.
She has been regularly presenting concerts in India and USA, and has been performing at the Chennai music season for the past three years. Rasika has participated and won several prizes in competitions at Cleveland Aradhana, CMANA, Sivan Fine Arts and also won the child talent award at Sangeetha Saamrat.
In addition to vocal music, Rasika is also learning violin from Vittal Sri Ramamurthy as well as Bharatanatyam from Smt. Maya Vinayan in “Kalakshethra” style. Music remains an integral part of her growing up, and Rasika is working hard to master the nuances and intricacies to evolve into a professional Carnatic musician.
